A principle stating that if a constraint (such as a change in pressure, temperature, or concentration of a reactant) is applied to a system in equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift so as to tend to counteract the effect of the constraint

(1887–1965), French architect and city planner, born in Switzerland; born Charles Édouard Jeanneret. A pioneer of the international style, he developed theories on functionalism, the use of new materials and industrial techniques, and a modular system of standard-sized units (Modulor)

(1931-), English novelist; pseudonym of David John Moore Cornwell. His unromanticized and thoughtful spy novels, which often feature British agent George Smiley, include The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1963), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974), and A Most Wanted Man (2008)

(1929-), US writer; full name Ursula Kroeber Le Guin. Her science fiction includes five Earthsea novels for children (1968–2001) and the Hainish Cycle novels, which include Rocannon’s World (1966) and The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

(1811–77), French mathematician. His analysis of the motions of the planets suggested that an unknown body was disrupting the orbit of Uranus. Le Verrier prompted the German astronomer Johann Galle (1812–1910) to investigate, and the planet Neptune was discovered in 1846

(1717–83), French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher. His most famous work was the Traité de dynamique (1743), in which he developed his own laws of motion. From 1746 to 1758 he was Diderot’s chief collaborator on the Encyclopédie

A principle stating that if a constraint (such as a change in pressure, temperature, or concentration of a reactant) is applied to a system in equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift so as to tend to counteract the effect of the constraint

(1844–1910), French painter; known as le Douanier (“customs officer”); full name Henri Julien Rousseau. After retiring as a customs official in 1893, he created bold, colorful paintings of fantastic dreams and exotic jungle landscapes

(1906–90), US air force officer; full name Curtis Emerson LeMay; known as Old Iron Pants. During World War II, he conducting a massive bombing campaign against Japan. After directing the Berlin Airlift in 1948, he was the commanding general of the US Strategic Air Command 1948–57 and Air Force chief of staff 1961–65

(1929-), US writer; full name Ursula Kroeber Le Guin. Her science fiction includes five Earthsea novels for children (1968–2001) and the Hainish Cycle novels, which include Rocannon’s World (1966) and The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)